A Survey of Western Civilization (I)

History 1010
Fall Semester, CCRI
Instructor: Dr. Jon Q. Lu

Course Outline:
This is essentially a survey of Western cultural, political and social developments from the
modest beginnings in the ancient Near East (3500 BC), through Greece and Rome, the
Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformations of the sixteenth century (1600 AD).
For a survey course of this magnitude, reading is crucial if you want to get something out
of it and move beyond the generalizations. On average, you should spend at least five
hours on the reading assignment per week. The lectures are given under the assumption
that you have read the weekly assignment before class. Therefore, not all basic historical
facts are covered in class. The lectures primarily serve to highlight, supplement or
substantiate certain points outlined in our textbook.

Required Reading:
McKay, John P. and et al., A History of Western Society, vol. I (8th ed. 2006)
Additional readings will be handed out in class irregularly.
Some video materials will be used to help visualize the period we are studying.
There will be two group discussions during the semester.

Course Requirements:
Requirements: There are five multiple-choice tests. The final semester grade will be the
average of four grades (Three best of the first four AND the fifth grade = 25% each).
No make-up exams will be given under any circumstances and no request for extra credit
will be granted. Tests two and four will be open-book tests. The tests are not cumulative.
Test questions will be from both the classroom discussion and the textbook readings
(50/50 split).
Penalties: If you have managed to take only three of the five tests during the semester, the
final grade will be based on the average of the three with a mandatory deduction of 20
points off the average. If only two tests are taken, the final grade will be an F, unless you
have withdrawn from the class.
Incentives: A perfect attendance will earn you 5 points on top of the final grade average.

Weekly Meeting Schedule:

1:00-2:15 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
2:30-3:45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
1:00-3:30 p.m. Thursday
Office and Contact Info:
Room 1236 in the Faculty Lounge. I am also available to provide assistance via telephone:
401-333-7357 (O), or contact me by e-mail: jlu@ccri.edu (not case sensitive).

Office Hours:
12:00-1:00 p.m. (M.Tu.W.Th.)

Weekly Reading Schedule:

Time Themes Required Reading

3500-500 BC
Week-1 Intro/Near East Origins Chapter 1 p10-31
Week-2 Egypt and Israel Chapter 2 p33-53
Test One 50 minutes
1500 BC-600 AD
Week-3 Greek Legacy (R/D)* Chapter 4 p95-123
Week-4 Roman Republic Chapter 5 p133-151
Week-5 Roman Empire Chapter 6 p167-186
Week-6 Birth of W. Europe Chapter 7 p211-233
Test Two Open-book Test 60 inutes
600-1200 AD
Week-7 Early Middle Ages Chapter 8 p240-263
Week-8 Church Reform Chapter 9 p265-270, 283-293
Week-9 Crusades and Society Chapters 10 p295-324
Test Three 50 minutes
1200-1450 AD
Week-10 High Middle Ages Chapter 11 p331-341,361-375
Week-11 Europe in Chaos (R/D)* Chapter 12 p395-411
Week-12 Renaissance (I) Chapter 13 p422-451
Week-13 Renaissance (II) Chapter 13 p422-451
Test Four Open-book Test 60 inutes
1450-1600 AD
Week-14 Reformation Chapter 14 p477-487, 489-502
Week 15 Overseas Expansion Chapter 15 p510-519
Test Five Dec. 18 (exam week) 50 minutes

*R/D = Extra reading and group discussion